''Magnifique'' was the lead ship of the 3-ship ''Magnifique'' class 74-gun

ship of the line A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed during the Age of Sail from the 17th century to the mid-19th century. The ship of the line was designed for the naval tactic known as the line of battle, which depended on the two colu ...

of the French Navy.

Career

In 1760, ''Magnifique'' was under Duchaffault, and patrolled off Martinique, along with ''Hébé'', under La Touche Beauregard. Captain Brach captained ''Magnifique'' at the Battle of Ushant on 27 July 1778, at the Battle of Grenada on 6 July 1779, and at the Battle of Martinique on 17 April 1780.

Fate

On 15 August 1782, ''Magnifique'' was wrecked along the rocky shore of

Lovells Island Lovells Island, or Lovell's Island, is a island in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, in Massachusetts. The island is across The Narrows from Georges Island and some offshore of downtown Boston. It is named after Captain Wil ...

, in Boston Harbor, MA, USA. She was rumoured to have been carrying "long-lost treasure." According to a US National Park Service Guide, the submerged vessel is still visible from N 42° 19.902’ W 070° 55.818’ during periods of calm.Boston Harbor Islands Island Cache Program, Site 6: The Outer Islands
nps.gov On 3 September 1782 the

Continental Congress The Continental Congress was a series of legislative bodies, with some executive function, for thirteen of Britain's colonies in North America, and the newly declared United States just before, during, and after the American Revolutionary War. ...

decided to present the ship of the line to King Louis XVI of France to replace ''Magnifique''. The gift was to symbolize the new nation's "appreciation for France's service to and sacrifices in behalf of the cause of the American patriots".

Sources and references

Notes Citations References * * * External links * Ships of the line of the French Navy Magnifique-class ships of the line 1750 ships Shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean Maritime incidents in 1782 {{France-line-ship-stub